By the Way: Notes on Symphony Hall and Mayor Booker "The Next President"

Rap concerts and teen parties are regularly held at historic Symphony Hall's Terrace Ballroom in Newark. So far there have been no incidents like the recent shootings that took place at the Robert Treat Hotel. Most Newark kids know how to act when they party. What they need is the assurance that they will be protected from those who do not.

I'm told that in the past Newark Police would send two cars to augment Symphony Hall's own security team but after the Robert Treat shooting the police department sent five cars to watch over a party of 1,200 kids.

From what I've heard so far, the cops did their job, providing a protective presence, not harassment. Good. The kids deserve the same saturated, preventive care that those going to the other major downtown venues get.

From across the pond comes this prophesy , Newark Mayor Cory Booker will someday be president of the USA. You can find it at the London Observer website and also at the mayor's website, which as far as I know is promoting his campaign to stay at City Hall, not move to the White House.